Otte van oostrum



(No Model.)

0. VAN OOSTRUM.

DAM.

No. 476,706. Patented June 7,1892.

WITNESSES: INVENTOH:

A TTOHN E Y S.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OTTE VAN OOSTRUM, OF PORTLAND, OREGON.

DAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,706, dated June '7, 1892.

Application filed February 11, 1892. Serial No. 421,142 (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OTTE VAN OOSTRUM, of Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon have invented a new and Improved Dam, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the annexed drawings, forming a part thereof,in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of my improved dam. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same, taken on line 2 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isahorizontal section taken on line 3 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a modified form of the dam adapted to small uses. Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5 5 in Fig. I. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of another modification, and Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 7 7 in Fig. 6.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts in all the views.

The object of my invention is provide a simple and ellective dam for stopping the flow of water in small ditches, such as are used for the purpose of irrigation.

The invention consists in the particular construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafterfnlly described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the form of dam shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 the side wings A A are provided with vertical grooves a for receiving the central plate or gate B. The lower edge of the dam thusformed is cut off on a circular curve, making the edge downwardly convex. The upper edges of the central and lateral parts are reinforced by rods Z), and braces O O are pivoted on the said rods. The free ends of the braces C C are provided with eyes 0, which serve as feet or anchors to the braces when the dam is in use. The central plate or gate B is provided with an opening D at or near the center thereof, and with grooved strips d d at the sides and bottom of the said opening for receiving the auxiliary gate 6, which is adapted to close the said opening.

My improved dam is put in the position of use by forcing the side platesA A down into the dirt at opposite sides of a ditch and then introducing the central plate 13 into the grooves a. When it is desired to allow some of the water to flow through the ditch without removing the gate B, the gate e is opened.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the dam consists of a plate A having a convex lower edge, with the upper portion made double and filled with wood, the two parts being riveted together. The upper edge of the dam is furnished with a handle E, by which it may be inserted in the earth in the position of use or withdrawn. In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the dam consists of a metal plateAf, having a convex lower edge and provided with a hem f at its upper edge, in which is inserted a wire or rod g. The central portion of the hem is cut away, leaving the wire exposed, and upon this wire-is pivoted a brace 0 provided with a foot 0, which serves as an anchor. The said foot is offset, as shown in Fig. 7, to give it a better hold upon the earth.

It is obvious that my improved dams may be made either whole of cast or sheet metal or partly of wood and partly of metal.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A dam comprising a metal plate having its upper portion provided with double walls spaced apart and a filling of wood between the said walls, substantially as herein shown and described.

2. In a dam, the combination, with the side wings AA, having the vertical grooves a, of the gate B, sliding in the said grooves and provided with an opening D, and the grooved strip (1 d, the upper edges of the side wings and gate being provided with the rods 1), the braces O O, hinged to the rods and provided with feet 0, and the auxiliary gate 0, sliding in the said grooved strips of the gate B, substantially as herein shown and described.

OTTE VAN OOSTRUM. Witnesses:

G. E. YOUNG, CHAS. N. Soorr. 

